NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8618, 24 March 1897, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Whether the " leading journals of tbe colony" will rise to the Premier's appeal is one of the questions of the hour. Mr David Syme, of the Melbourne Age, has voluntarily come forward to defray the expenses of the Victorian Rifle Team, and Mr Seddon evidently relies on the patriotiim, or rivalry, of the New Zealand papers to produce like results. But the Premier should not forget that where one wealthy proprietor docs the whole thing, the advertisement is far better than where a number are " chipping in equally." Some members of the Press fraternity will perhaps bestir themselves in order to enter the sacredfold of "leadingjournals" on the lines of the Premier's classification, but to the mercenary mind this is rather a shadowy advantage. At the same time, we do not wish to throw cold -vater on the idea of the Press of the colony contributing from motives of pure patriotism. But the Premier must bear in mind that Mr Syme's individual generosity is not necessarily a criterion, and he must not be surprised if the appeal should chance' to meet with a doubtful reception from the Fourth Estate. Success is only likely, not certain.

# # * # By the-way, the Premier spoke in the same key in a recent speech at Wellington. He emphatically declared that New Zealand would be represented by a team at Bisley, and that if the necessary nuney (about £2000) was not provided by Press or public subscription, "he was prepared to face Parliament and ask for a vote. He was sorry that gentlemen in this colony who were well endowed with worldly goods, or their fair share of worldly goods, were not moved with the same spirit as Mr David Syme and other Melbourne gentlemen to oflier'.to provide the ways and means of sending a team Home." An appeal to men in good circumstances would be far more of a public nature than an appeal to the Press. The newspapers may ask what greater obligations, patriotic or otherwise, devolve upon them than upon—say—the Chambers of Commerce.

In the same speech Mr Seddou referred to the Australian squadron, and the contingents of volunteer cavalry and of Maoris which will also visit the Old Country in connection with the record reign celebrations. With regard to the Maori division, the Premier argued on three points : (I) That New Zealand is the only country extant which can show such a fine race of native people; (2) that a large section of the natives were always friendly and fought with us during the war; (3) that as another instance of loyalty, the Maoris offered to send a body of troops to the Transvaal during the recent troubles'there. It will be remembered that an Australian paper recently ridiculed the idea of the Maoris being represented on the ground that they are subjects by compulsion. On the same line of argument, the flower of our Indian Army consists of " subjects by compulsion," and yet they havo frequently carried the Queen's colors to victory.

Another rather significant remark made by the Premier was that the natives "would be a factor to be reckoned with in the event of war breaking out, and they would prove a valuable ally to our own forces." So mote it be. The fighting quality cf the Maori is well known,and if, notwithstanding the cold douche administered to his loyalty in the early 'eighties, when the native volunteer corps were " nipped in the bud," he is still anxious to fight for the flag in foreign lands, he is indeed a quantity to be reckoned with.

We learn that Mr W. H. Potts, President of the Miners Union, has declined, owing to private reasons, the position of Assistant Mining Inspector on the West Coast, offered to him by the Mines Department.

Mr T. B. Jacobsun, architect, has received the following tenders for papering and painting- Captain Bayldon's house on Beach Road:-H. Conroy, X 93; W B. McDonald, £76 10s; Shepherd and Booth, Mo; Cotton and Thatnsen, £62; and C. E. Lipsham, £56 (accepted).—Two cottages have just been completed in Willoughby street under the direction of Mr Jacobsen, to the order of Mr John Frater. -

The usual amount of wild speculation is taking place as to when Parliament will meet, and what it will do when it does meet. The date of assembling now mentioned for the early session is April 6th. It is semi-officially denied that any banking legislation will be attempted this session. The rumour that a new Bill is in course of preparation is said to be quite without foundation.

The Rev. W. Woollass, who has been appointed to the district, will be welcomed by a social in the Primitive Methodist Church, Maokay street, on Thursday evening. M Woollass, it Tvill.be remembered, figured prominently as a Prohibitionist tit Invercargill, a perjury case which was associated with his name being regarded as a great triumph fur the Prohibition party. We learn that as a. member of the Invercargill Licensing Committee he has done signal service, and his coming to the district will be a distinct gain to the Prohibitionist ranis. A good programme has been prepared by the Church choir, and solos by Thames favourites should draw a full Church. The programme will be followed by the usual coffee supper.

An important matter came before the Crown Lands Board at its meeting in Auckland yesterday, when there < were present: Messrs Mueller (Commissioner) in the chair, D. Luudon, Benshaw, and Major Harris. An application was received from the Kauri Timber Company for the renewal of twenty of their timber flotage licenses. The Board only granted flotage licenses for rivers in goldfield areas, it being stipulated that the company shall not appeal in Court to opposs applications for water rights for miuing purposes. The Board is of oyinion that the timber aud raining' industries should thrive together and assist each other.—James Grant, carter, wrote requesting pesmission to erect a hut for his waggoner on the Kaingaroa Plains, near Galatea, close to Freshwater Creek, also to fence in some five acres; It wan agreed to lease the land from year to year at an annual rental of JGI, the portion of land to be leased subject to the approval of [the Chief Surveyor. Mr Mueller, in commenting on the application, said that on these barren plains, chiefly pumice, the Government were now making experiments in forestry. The experiments had succeeded on the desolate plains which lay along the banks of the Rangitikei Birer, and he had no doubt that timber growing would be tried on other similar tracts of desert country in the interior of the colony.

A number of mortgages under the Advances to Settlers Act were approved, and other routine business was transacted.

iNauißY at the Hospital this afternoon shows that Mr Innes, who was injured at Omahu, is regaining consciousness, and his condition is slightly improved.

Mb Matthias Whitehead, of Thames, boot importer, was to-day nominated es a candidate on the licensing committee for the Ohinemuri eleotorats. This will bring the number of temperance candidates up to live, &3 required by the Act. Mr Whitehead has had considerable experience in licensing matters as a member of the Thames committee, and he should be a useful member on the Ohinemuri committee, in which electorate he now resides.

Mb Trigear, the secretary of the Labour Department, has selected the lands for work-ing-men's settlements near Ghristchurch. The site is about a mile from the Addington Workshops. The block dnuists of land of first-class quality, and has been cut up into 26 allotments—one of 10 acres and the others of three acres each. Applications for the sections will be reo*i»ed to-day, and it is | expected tbat all will be at once taken up. Lenses in perpetuity will be issued at rentals ranging from £2 7s to M 19s per half-year.

Mb Thos. Nixon, storekeeper, of Taupaki, has r" ported to the polio at Helensville th> finding of a skeleton of a man with a pistol and other articles alongside it, about three miles d'stant from his store. It is not yet known as to whether anyone has been missed from that locality. From the presence of the pistol it is supposed to be either a case of some unfortunate tired of life or one of foul play. The police are investigating.

», A Wellington message states that, with regard to the Suburbs seat and the two rival Government candidates, the Premier and Minister of Lands have been instrumental in having arbitrators appointed to determine who shall go to the poll, and who shall retire. Messrs Andrew Collins and Beecham (of Bannatyne and Co.) are appointed arbitrators for Mr Kirk, and Mr Carmeron (son-in-law of the Minister of Lands) and Mr J. Hutcheson (labour member for Wellington) are the arbitrators for MrC. Wilson.

During yesterday's sitting of the Coromandel Warden's Court a very large number of applications for special claims and licensed, holdings were produced, but for the great , majority adjournments were asked. The Warden stated that he objected to adjournments except on tangible grounds, as he did not intend to hare the

ground locked up. He noted several applications specially, "and adjourned them to the 2nd of 3 April, when he hoped the applicants would be ready. The Warden expressed a wish to have a special sitting of the Court to hear all adjourned and disputed rases so as to have them wiped off. He said for the future no protection would be granted until all rent and wages had been paid, and he refused protection to the Londonderry on these grounds. In giving absolute protection the Warden warned applicants that s day «f reckoning would come.

Paibß to the conclusion «f the Auckland Education, Board's meeting yesterday, which was the last of the Board as at present constituted, Mr Muir, the Chairman, in referring to the retirement of Canon Bates and Mr W. Lambe, expressed regret j that the Board would not again have the pleasure of their attendance at the meetings. Mr Muir also said Mr Lambe was in very delicate health, which he regretted. He moved that the retiring members be thanked for their valuable services while they were on the Board, and that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to them. Mr Luke considered that the retirement »f Canon Bates was a loss to education in general- In thanking his fellow-members, Canon Bates said he had been greatly interested in the work, and was much grieved that he had to give it up. He could assure them that the work had been its own exceeding great reward. Mr Lambe was too ill to attend the meeting.